Question from Student?

Most of us run microwaves, tv's, dvd players, refrigerators , laptops, some run electric heaters and cooktops, and just about anything you would run in your home... But I thought that is what our apu's and generators were already invented for.

 

RoughHouse is right, the problem has been solved. Efficient APU (auxiliary power units) units are in widespread use now. Other systems have been tried, IdleAir being a fairly wide spread experiment. Before IdleAir there was a "hockey puck" arrangement available at some truck stops providing electrical power and sometimes phone/modem service by plugging into an outlet box that stuck up out of the parking lot blacktop. Among other things it made snow removal a pain in the backside.

Portable power is the ticket. An APU can give electricity, keep the main motor warm, and provide heat and air conditioning to the cab while burning a mere fraction of the fuel used by an idling main motor.

 

Engine idling is almost a think of the past. Laws and costs have made sure of that.
Like the others said, APUs have taken care of our needs.
Sure, there might be other things, like a battery bank like used in RV's but they won't power the AC, add too much weight and cost (over time). Fuel cells would be too much money for quite a while.
Keep in mind the trucking industry has to keep costs as low as possible and if that means they have to spend a couple extra thousand for driver comfort, the driver will be mighty uncomfortable!
Initial costs and running cost over time are the two things the companies will look at first and even if it's cheaper over the long haul, in this economy, they have to pinch every penny or there isn't a 'long' to haul!

 

Has the problem been solved? You guys have no idea what they have in mind. It could power the same as an APU at a quarter of the cost with twice the reliability. Nothing good comes from acceptance.

 

hey guys let these people have a break APU's are not the holy grail. there may be something out there that would work better, just because it isn't out now doesn't mean it can't be. at least someone is trying to help us out and not just throwin us to the wolves. Apu's are expensive and company trucks don't usually have them because of it.

 

I only have a computer and phone charger ran off a 300watt inverter. Once the power from the batteries gets low enough, the invertor will sound a constant beep(because it isnt getting enough power) until you start up the engine.

The only times I idle is if the temperature makes it uncomfortable for me to sleep. I dont idle just because...if Im comfortable enough, I will keep the motor off. I sleep better with the engine off anyway.

Yeah, Id like to have a microwave or something to heat up food.

Yes, but if its not portable and cant be carried on the truck, it doesnt do much good unless we can use it all the time. Having to hook up to a station(like Idleaire) is good, but we have to be there to use it. With something portable, we can use it anywhere.

 

Can you guys come up with a way to make a truck run on doggy-doo-doo? See,I got this great dane in the truck and well,I was just thinkin'....